Green innovation for the data centres of tomorrow: a visit to Sempergreen

Sustainability in focus

I find Sempergreen’s vision compelling: bringing more green space into urban areas. Urban greening not only promotes biodiversity and reduces the urban heat-island effect, but also helps make efficient use of rainwater. Flowering plants enhance the appearance of urban surroundings as well, improving residents’ wellbeing. Sempergreen has been developing innovative green façade and roof solutions for more than 25 years and operates nurseries on five continents.

Sustainable partnerships: Sempergreen and YEXIO

For me, the collaboration with Sempergreen on the YEXIO data centre in Heiligenhaus is a remarkable example of sustainable construction. The facility uses modular timber construction, enabling a significant reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions. The green façade developed by Sempergreen integrates seamlessly into the project’s overall sustainability concept.

Technical implementation of the green façade

The plants that will later cover the data centre’s façade begin growing in small containers and are then carefully inserted by hand into specially produced panels. Sempergreen uses sunlight exclusively, preparing the plants as effectively as possible for their future growing conditions. The panels comprise a water-retaining layer, selected stone wool and a protective fleece. Beneficial insects are used for pest control, eliminating the need for chemical agents.

Security that builds trust

Green façades for YEXIO data centres

The plant species for the data centre’s green façades were selected together with Christiaan Bakker. Two mixed planting schemes were chosen, each tailored to the relevant aspect and lighting requirements.

During the tour, however, I discovered an innovation with the potential to fundamentally change the way we think about greening buildings. More on that in another article.

Has this sparked your curiosity?
Then get in touch with the team!